The comments from Meng, a former state assemblywoman from Queens, came at a rally for Avella’s primary opponent, former city Comptroller John Liu.

“Siding with the Republicans in the State Senate would be equivalent of me, Joe or Kathy siding with Tea Party Republicans in Congress and saying we did it under the guise of helping women, children and families,” Meng said according to The Observer. “That would never accepted throughout the country and it’s not acceptable in New York State.”

Avella’s campaign blasted the statement in response, noting the lawmaker supports the passage of the women’s agenda, which has stalled in the Legislature.

“It’s unfortunate that the Queens Democratic Party bosses, who supported corrupt ex-Senator Hiram Monserrate for years, once again are shamefully distorting Senator Avella’s 100% pro-choice and pro-Women’s Equality Agenda voting record. Their only mission appears to be sending back to Albany another party-picked disgraced politician in that of John Liu,” Avella’s campaign said. “Senator Avella looks forward to working with our next Democratic Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul as she presides over the State Senate. It would be shocking given her impeccable record that she would be pleased to preside over the chamber with another ethically challenged member.”

At the same rally, Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Kathy Hochul said she wasn’t endorsing Liu over Avella.

State Senate Republicans, of course, aren’t necessarily cut from the same tea party cloth as the rest of the GOP around the country. Indeed, Senate GOP Leader Dean Skelos’ conference has worked well with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has frequently urged them behind closed doors to support his agenda because Republicans in New York tend to be in the mold of Nelson Rockefeller, not Ted Cruz.

Still, the state Democratic Committee has used the “tea party” moniker this election season to describe Cuomo’s Republican opponent, Rob Astorino, when trying to convey that he’s too “extreme” for voters in New York.